Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Brazilian Cat
Thisapparitionofamanadheringtohisbarsanddraggedscreamingacrosshimhadapparentlyfilledhimwithamazement.Isawhisgreateyesstaringsteadilyatme.IhaddroppedthelanternwhenIseizedthebars,butitstillburneduponthefloor,andImadeamovementtograspit,withsomeideathatitslightmightprotectme.ButtheinstantImoved,thebeastgaveadeepandmenacinggrowl.Istoppedandstoodstill,quiveringwithfearineverylimb.Thecat(ifonemaycallsofearfulacreaturebysohomelyaname)wasnotmorethantenfeetfromme.Theeyesglimmeredliketwodisksofphosphorusinthedarkness.Theyappalledandyetfascinatedme.Icouldnottakemyowneyesfromthem.Natureplaysstrangetrickswithusatsuchmomentsofintensity,andthoseglimmeringlightswaxedandwanedwithasteadyriseandfall.Sometimestheyseemedtobetinypointsofextremebrilliancy—littleelectricsparksintheblackobscurity—thentheywouldwidenandwidenuntilallthatcorneroftheroomwasfilledwiththeirshiftingandsinisterlight.Andthensuddenlytheywentoutaltogether.
Thebeasthadcloseditseyes.Idonotknowwhethertheremaybeanytruthintheoldideaofthedominanceofthehumangaze,orwhetherthehugecatwassimplydrowsy,butthefactremainsthat,farfromshowinganysymptomofattackingme,itsimplyresteditssleek,blackheaduponitshugeforepawsandseemedtosleep.Istood,fearingtomovelestIshouldrouseitintomalignantlifeoncemore.ButatleastIwasabletothinkclearlynowthatthebalefuleyeswereoffme.
